In 1988 California voters passed Proposition 99, which levied a 25-cent
tax on every pack of cigarettes sold in the state. The money raised from
the tax has been used to fund educational and policy change programs, including
creating and supporting local “tobacco control coalitions” managed
by county health departments and composed of members of the community.

In recent years, these local tobacco control coalitions seem to have lost
the political power to pass their health policy goals. One of the reasons
is that they lack the ability to recruit the prominent community leaders
that are required to influence decision-makers. In addition, coalition
members often do not have the skills in community organizing and strategic
planning that are required to make the policy campaigns successful.

What We Did

Community Focus partnered with the American Lung Association of California
on a state-wide project to provide assistance to local tobacco control
coalitions and other projects funded by Proposition 99. This project, the
Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing, is funded by the California Department
of Health Services. We provide a wide range of services designed to increase
the organizational capacity of local tobacco control coalitions, including
planning and facilitation of workshops on strategic organizing, recruitment
to build and re-energize coalitions and public speaking. We also offer
technical assistance to local health professionals involved in planning
or executing policy campaigns.

Results/Outcomes

The Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing has developed and delivered
over 40 trainings at the local and regional level throughout California

Approximately 75 percent of local tobacco control coalitions in
the State of California have received training from the Center

Evaluation surveys report 90% satisfaction with training provided

We have delivered presentations/workshops on capacity-building
skills at nine statewide and regional tobacco control conferences